Welcome to First United Methodist Church (UMC) of Louisville Nebraska

Stain glass In memory of Olive C. Stander and Eliza A. Stander

Our Church sets the foundation for strong a community in Louisville, Nebraska. We are dedicated to Christ Jesus Our Lord and desire to grow in our faith through the advancement of
our adult and child education, poverty relief, community events and other beneficial local activities.

In addition to our community services, we organize regular meetings and activities so that our members can join together and support our communities from day to day.

We are always happy to meet new people - everyone is welcome!

10:00 AM Service - Louisville UMC

No Sunday School during the summer

Come join us for our regular worship times:

Worship Service 10:00 AM
Communion 1st Sunday each month

Sunday School and Adult Bible Class

9:00 AM - Education Building during the school year

Come join us for our summer worship time:

no Sunday School

Blended Service 10:00 AM

First Sunday of each month please join us for communion:

followed by pot luck dinner in the fellowship hall

WHO WE ARE

Our Church is a non-profit, religious organization based on the principles set forth by John Wesley; our founder. We provide outreach and resources to people and families who are
experiencing temporary set-backs due to unemployment, illness or other life-changing events.

A brother and sister had made their usual hurried, obligatory pre-Christmas visit to the little farm where dwelt their elderly
parents with their small herd of horses. The farm was where they had grown up and had been named Lone Pine Farm because of the huge pine, which topped the hill behind the farm. Through the years the
tree had become a talisman to the old man and his wife, and a landmark in the countryside. The young siblings had fond memories of their childhood here, but the city hustle and bustle added more
excitement to their lives, and called them away to a different life.

The old folks no longer showed their horses, for the years had taken their toll, and getting out to the barn on those frosty
mornings was getting harder, but it gave them a reason to get up in the mornings and a reason to live. They sold a few foals each year, and the horses were their reason for joy in the morning and
contentment at day's end.

Angry, as they prepared to leave, the young couple confronted the old folks "Why do you not at least dispose of The Old
One." She is no longer of use to you. It's been years since you've had foals from her. You should cut corners and save so you can have more for yourselves. How can this old worn out horse bring you
anything but expense and work? Why do you keep her anyway?"

The old man looked down at his worn boots, holes in the toes, scuffed at the barn floor and replied, " Yes, I could use a pair of
new boots. His arm slid defensively about the Old One's neck as he drew her near with gentle caressing he rubbed her softly behind her ears. He replied softly, "We keep her because of love. Nothing
else, just love."

Baffled and irritated, the young folks wished the old man and his wife a Merry Christmas and headed back toward the city as
darkness stole through the valley. The old couple shook their heads in sorrow that it had not been a happy visit. A tear fell upon their cheeks. How is it that these young folks do not understand the
peace of the love that filled their hearts?

So it was, that because of the unhappy leave-taking, no one noticed the insulation smoldering on the frayed wires in the old
barn. None saw the first spark fall. None but the "Old One". In a matter of minutes, the whole barn was ablaze and the hungry flames were licking at the loft full of hay. With a cry of horror
and despair, the old man shouted to his wife to call for help as he raced to the barn to save their beloved horses. But the flames were roaring now, and the blazing heat drove him back. He sank
sobbing to the ground, helpless before the fire's fury. His wife back from calling for help cradled him in her arms, clinging to each other, they wept at their loss.

By the time the fire department arrived, only smoking, glowing ruins were left, and the old man and his wife, exhausted from their
grief, huddled together before the barn. They were speechless as they rose from the cold snow covered ground. They nodded thanks to the firemen as there was nothing anyone could do now. The old man
turned to his wife, resting her white head upon his shoulders as his shaking old hands clumsily dried her tears with a frayed red bandana. Brokenly he whispered, "We have lost much, but God has
spared our home on this eve of Christmas. Let us gather strength and climb the hill to the old pine where we have sought comfort in times of despair. We will look down upon our home and give thanks
to God that it has been spared and pray for our beloved most precious gifts that have been taken from us.

And so, he took her by the hand and slowly helped her up the snowy hill as he brushed aside his own tears with the back of his old
and withered hand. The journey up the hill was hard for their old bodies in the steep snow. As they stepped over the little knoll at the crest of the hill, they paused to rest, looking up to the top
of the hill the old couple gasped and fell to their knees in amazement at the incredible beauty before them.

Seemingly, every glorious, brilliant star in the heavens was caught up in the glittering, snow-frosted branches of their beloved
pine, and it was aglow with heavenly candles. And poised on its top most bough, a crystal crescent moon glistened like spun glass. Never had a mere mortal created a Christmas tree such as this. They
were breathless as the old man held his wife tighter in his arms.

Suddenly, the old man gave a cry of wonder and incredible joy. Amazed and mystified, he took his wife by the hand and pulled her
forward. There, beneath the tree, in resplendent glory, a mist hovering over and glowing in the darkness was their Christmas gift. Shadows glistening in the night light.

Bedded down about the "Old One" close to the trunk of the tree, was the entire herd, safe. At the first hint of smoke, she had
pushed the door ajar with her muzzle and had led the horses through it. Slowly and with great dignity, never looking back, she had led them up the hill, stepping cautiously through the snow. The
foals were frightened and dashed about. The skittish yearlings looked back at the crackling, hungry flames, and tucked their tails under them as they licked their lips and hopped like rabbits.
The mares that were in foal with a new years crop of babies, pressed uneasily against the "Old One" as she moved calmly up the hill and to safety beneath the pine. And now she lay among them and
gazed at the faces of the old man and his wife. Those she loved she had not disappointed. Her body was brittle with years, tired from the climb, but the golden eyes were filled with devotion as she
offered her gift---

Because of love. Only Because of love. Tears flowed as the old couple shouted their praise and joy... And again the peace of love
filled their hearts.

This is a true story.

Willy Eagle

This is an Inspirational message sent to a small group of people. My hope is that it will make your day just a little bit
better.

A small request !

Cancer is a strange cell.

Going along for years in remission and than one day it pops it head up again. Pray for the day there will be a permanent
cure. A SMALL REQUEST...

93% won't forward, but I'm Sure You Will........

A small request....Just one line

Dear God, I pray for the cure of cancer. Amen

.........."I was driving along on SPUR 13H, when one of the tires in my car blew out. I was on my cell phone asking my husband to come get me, when ***Bob*** and ***Joe*** drove up and
stopped to inquire if I needed help. Even though I told them help was on the way, they insisted on stopping and changing my tire for me. Because it was dark and I was alone in an unkown
area, they could tell I was a little leery of letting strangers help me. To put my mind at ease, they told me they were returning home after their Wednesday evening Bible study, and then
gallantly offered to show me their drivers' licenses so I could tell my husband "who was helping his wife."

After all was said and done, they refused to take any money for their kind deed. They told me to "pay it forward." I thought a good way to start paying it forward would be to make a
donation to a church in the area." .......... Sincerely, ***Beth***